Chocolate Picnic Cake
Perfect for outdoor gatherings or a casual dessert at home, this Chocolate Picnic Cake is a moist and fluffy treat that’s as effortless as it is indulgent. Made with pantry staples like cocoa powder, buttermilk, and a hint of vanilla, this one-bowl wonder combines rich chocolate flavor with a light, tender crumb. The addition of hot water ensures a luxuriously moist texture, while a simple dusting of powdered sugar makes it picnic-ready without the need for heavy frosting. Ready in under an hour and serving up to 10, this easy-to-make chocolate cake is ideal for any occasion where convenience meets decadence.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 cup buttermilk
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup hot water
- powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper to make removal easier.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
In a separate medium bowl, mix the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
Slowly add the hot water to the batter, stirring continuously. The batter will be thin, but this helps create a moist cake.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake has cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar if desired. Slice and serve!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
297 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 13.9 g | 18% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.1 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 39 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 225 mg | 10% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.7 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.3 g | ||
| Protein | 6.1 g | 12% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 43 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 197 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
